PLANT SPECIES RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY IN NATURAL BEECH AND OAK DOMINATED FORESTS OF KOSMAJ PROTECTED AREA (SERBIA)

Abstract

This study compares plant species richness and diversity of beech and oak-dominated forests in the protected area of Kosmaj Mountain (Serbia). From the aspect of syntaxonomy, the forest vegetation of this area consists of deciduous oak and beech forests of the Querco-Fagetea class. A total of 76 phytosociological relevés were used in the analysis of the floristic composition of mixed broadleaved forests. We determined six forest communities dominated by different oak species (Quercus cerris L., Quercus farnetto Ten., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). A total of 52 families, 133 genera, and 216 species were recorded. The average number of species per forest community ranged from 21 to 38. The Shannon-Wiener index (H’) ranged from 2.13 to 3.16, and the species evenness ranged from 0.69 to 0.85. The results show that the number of species and diversity are significantly higher in the communities where oaks are edifying species than in the beech-dominated communities. It applies both to monodominant beech and mixed beech and sessile oak forests. The present study will help us understand the patterns of tree species composition and diversity on Kosmaj Mountain, which can serve as a valuable guideline in the management of this protected area to preserve and enhance its biological diversity.